by V. V. Vide
CHAPTER VIII.
BRIEF REIGN OF CUITLAHUA--EXPULSION OF THE SPANIARDS--GUATIMOZIN CHOSEN EMPEROR--HIS MARRIAGE WITH TECUICUPO.
~Grief follows grief. The crowned head So late the nation's hope, is laid Low in the dust.~
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~Defeat and triumph, tears and smiles, Life, death, true glory and the depths of shame, The funeral pall and the pure bridal robe, In close proximity--~
The sacred dust restored to its native earth, and the last hallowedrites performed over the sepulchre of the departed, the thoughts of thepeople were immediately turned to the succession. All eyes were fixed onCuitlahua, the noble brother of Montezuma, whose intrepid spirit, anddeadly hatred of the intruding Spaniards, accorded with the nowuniversal sentiment of the nation. He was elected, without a dissentingvoice, by the grand council of the nobles. Accepting, with alacrity, thepost of responsibility and danger, he was immediately inaugurated andcrowned, with all the gorgeous rites, and imposing ceremonies which apagan priesthood delight to throw around every important event, in whichtheir holy influence is necessarily involved.
During the progress of these mournful and exciting events, the rigors ofthe siege had not been materially relaxed, though all active hostilitieshad been suspended. They were now to be renewed with tenfold energy,under the lead of their warlike monarch, who had often led the armies ofAnahuac to victory, and who had never known defeat.
When the Castilian general was informed that the heroic Cuitlahua hadbeen placed on the throne of Montezuma, and was about to take the fieldin person, he perceived the necessity of adopting prompt and decidedmeasures. The retreat had already been resolved on. It was now to be putin execution, and that, without delay. As it was the custom of theAztec, to suspend all hostilities during the night, Cortez determined toavail himself of that season to make his escape. Accordingly, everything being made ready for the departure, and the city being hushed in aseemingly profound repose, the gates were thrown open, and the littlearmy, with its long train of Indian allies, sallied stealthily forth,not to the stirring notes of drum or trumpet, but with hushed breath anda cautious tread, ill accordant with the haughty bearing, and vauntingair, with which they had hitherto attempted to lord it over the proudmetropolis of Anahuac.
But, though quiet, the sagacious and determined Aztec was wide awake. Hehad anticipated this stealthy movement of his pent up foe, and resolvedthat he should not thus escape the snare into which his own audaciousinsolence had drawn him. The last files of the retreating army had notyet passed out from their entrenchments, when a long loud blast from thehorn of the great Teocalli, stirred the city to its utmost borders,calling out the mighty host, who had slept upon their arms, eager forthe summons which should bring them once more to an engagement withtheir foe.
Confident as the Spaniard was in the overwhelming power of his cavalryand artillery, he preferred rather to make good his retreat, while hecould, than to show his prowess in these perilous circumstances. Thehoarse distant murmurs which fell upon their ears at every street asthey passed, indicated too plainly the mustering of a mighty host, whichsoon came rushing in upon them from all quarters, like the swellingsurges of a stormy sea, each higher and more terrible than that whichpreceded. They fell upon the flying foe with the ferocity of tigers,about to be disappointed of their prey. From every lane and alley, andfrom the roof of every house, they pelted them with ceaseless vollies ofstones. They grappled with them, man to man, reckless of life or limb,so that they could maim or destroy an enemy.
Alvarado, with a portion of the cavalry, brought up the rear of theretreating army, in order to repel, with an occasional charge upon theenemy's ranks, those furious onsets which might have overwhelmed thesmall body of Spanish infantry, or the unmailed and lightly armedTlascalan allies. The cavalier and his horse, encased in armor of proof,could better cope with the weapons and missiles of their assailants,while they often turned upon them, with a fierce and irresistiblecharge, trampling hundreds in the dust, and mowing down whole ranks onthis side and that, with their trenchant broadswords.
In this manner the fugitives defiled through the great southern avenue,and came out upon the grand causeway, by which they had twice enteredthe city. Here they were met by new and fresh squadrons of the enemy,thronging the sides of the dike in their light canoes, and showeringdown arrows thick as hail upon the advancing column. Sometimes keepingupon the causeway, they would grapple each with his man, and drag himoff into the water, to be picked up by those in the canoes, and hurriedoff to a terrible and certain fate, on the great altar of their War-god.Their numbers increased every moment, till the lake was literally alivewith them.
At length the advancing column was brought to stand; while a cry ofdespair from the van revealed the fearful position in which they stoodin the midst of their implacable foes. The bridges which intersected thedike had been removed by order of the Emperor. They had now reached thefirst opening thus made in the causeway. A sudden shout from the myriadsof Aztec warriors that hung about them on all sides, told at once theirown wild triumph, and the awfully perilous position of their enemy.Crowded together on a narrow causeway, in ranks so close as to rendertheir arms and their weapons almost entirely useless--arrested in frontby a wide chasm which it was impossible to pass--their retreat cut offin the rear, by the living masses that blocked up every avenue, andpressed them forward upon the crowded ranks of their comrades--assailedon both sides from the water, through the whole length of the closelycompacted column--while all these dangers were enhanced a hundred-foldby the darkness of the night--there seemed no possibility of escape forone of that brave host.
Cortez was with the principal part of the cavalry in the centre of thecolumn, so wedged in by the compacted mass of his own forces, as to bequite unable either to advance or retreat, without trampling them underhis feet, or crowding them off the causeway. He comprehended in a momentthe perilous position he was in. But such was the utter confusion anddismay of the whole army, and such the horrid din of clashing arms, andthe yet more horrid yells of the savage foe, that he in vain attemptedeither to direct or encourage his men. His voice was drowned in theuproar.
Sandoval, one of his bravest and most trusty officers, who led the van,with a few other cavaliers as bold as himself, resolved to push forwardat any personal hazard, rather than stand still to perish in oneconfused mass, dashed their steeds into the water, and made for theother side of the gap. Some succeeded in effecting a landing, whileothers, with their horses, perished in the attempt, or fell into thehands of the watchful boatmen. The first movement being thus made, animpetus was given to the moving column from behind, that drove the frontranks, _nolens volens_, into the breach. By far the greater part sank torise no more, or were picked up by the Aztecs, and hurried away to a farmore terrible death. At length the breach was filled up by the bodies ofthe dead, and the baggage and artillery which occupied the centre, sothat the rear had a clear passage over the fatal chasm.
A second and a third breach was yet to be passed. It was accomplished asbefore, only by making a bridge of the bodies of one half, for the otherhalf to walk upon. Meanwhile the enemy hung upon flank and rear, withunappeasable rage, striking down and picking up vast numbers of victims,until, when the last breach was cleared, and a footing gained uponterra-firma, there was scarce a remnant left of the gallant band thatentered upon that fatal causeway. The iron-hearted Cortez was soovercome with the sight of his shattered band, and the absence of somany brave comrades, when the morning light appeared, that he sat downupon a rock that overlooked the scene of desolation, and gave vent tohis emotions in a flood of tears.
Had the Mexicans followed up this success by falling upon the brokendispirited remnant of the Castilian army, they would probably havevanquished and destroyed them to a man. They were suffered, however, toproceed unmolested for several days, until their strength and spiritswere somewhat recruited. Then, though attacked by immensely superiornumber
s, they succeeded in putting them to rout.
The new Emperor, Cuitlahua, having signalized his accession to thethrone by the almost total destruction of the formidable foe, who hadspread the terror of his arms far and wide through all the realms ofAnahuac, proceeded to fortify his capital and kingdom against anotherinvasion. The dikes and canals were thoroughly repaired, the walls werestrengthened and extended, the army enlarged and improved in disciplineby some of the lessons which so able a general, was not slow to learnfrom the Spaniards. The immense treasures they had drawn from themunificent Montezuma, and which, in the disasters of that melancholynight, they had been compelled to leave behind, were all recovered andexpended in these works of defence. Their arms, too, were gathered up,and served to improve and render more effective many of the moreprimitive weapons of the Aztecs. In the midst of these wise andpatriotic efforts to guard against the probable return of the Spaniards,Cuitlahua was seized with a loathsome disease, which in a few daysbrought him to the grave, after a brief reign of four months.
This was a terrible blow to the nation. It was felt throughout all theborders of Anahuac, as the severest frown of their gods. But partiallyrecovered from the shock occasioned by the death of Montezuma, they werenow beginning to feel their hopes renewed, and their courage reviving,under the bold and decided measures, and the signal successes of theirnew Emperor. He was the idol of the army. His intrepid bravery, his highmilitary talents, his unyielding patriotism, and deadly hatred of thewhite men, had secured for him the confidence of all the wisest and bestmen of the realm, so that, with one heart and one voice, they ralliedaround his standard, assured that, under his energetic sway, the ancientglory and pre-eminence of the Aztec crown would be not only ablyasserted, but effectually re-established.
His fall, like a mighty earthquake, shook the empire to its centre. Fora moment it seemed as if all was lost--hopelessly, irretrievably lost.The long funereal wail, that swelled up from every dwelling and everyheart in that devoted land, seemed like the expiring groan of a world.But it was only for a moment. The first shock past, they foundthemselves still standing, though among ruins. Their land, theirtemples, their dwellings, still remained. Their wise and experiencedcounsellors were all in their midst. Their host of armed men were stillat their post, unbroken, undivided, unappalled. The imperial mantle hadnot fallen to the earth.
As by immediate direction from heaven, all eyes were turned toGuatimozin. He was nephew to the last two monarchs, and though only ayoung man, had distinguished himself both in the council and in thefield. He had uniformly opposed the admission of the Spaniards to thecapital. He had been prominent in all the recent attacks upon theirquarters, and had especially signalized himself in the terribleoverthrow of the disastrous night of their retreat. He had all thecoolness and intrepidity of a veteran warrior, with all the fire andimpetuosity of youth. He was about twenty-five years of age, of anelegant commanding figure, and so terrible in war that even hisfollowers trembled in his presence.
The young prince felt the extreme difficulty of the crisis, but did notshrink from the arduous and perilous post assigned him. With a prudenceand circumspection, only to have been expected from one long accustomedto the cares and perplexities of government, he set himself to fortifyevery assailable point, and to prepare for the worst that might arise,in the event of another invasion. The works commenced during the briefreign of Cuitlahua were carried forward to their completion. By means ofregular couriers and spies, a constant communication was kept up withall parts of the country. The movements of the Spaniards were narrowlywatched, and their supposed designs frequently reported to the Emperor.Nothing was omitted which a sagacious and watchful monarch could do ordevise, to make ready for a severe and protracted contest, in whateverform it might come.
Thus established on the throne, and strengthened against a suddensurprise, the ardent young monarch repaired to Chapoltepec, where thebereaved household of Montezuma still remained, in sad but peacefulseclusion, and claimed the hand of the fair Princess Tecuichpo. Herretiring disposition would have preferred a humbler and more quietstation. She had seen enough of the agitations and burdens of a crownedhead; enough of the gaudy emptiness of life in a palace, and longed tohide herself in some sweet, sequestered spot, away from the noisy paradeand anxious bustle of a court, where her own home would be all herworld.
"Oh! that that crown had fallen on some other head," she exclaimed."Though there is not another in Anahuac so worthy to wear it, not onewho would so well sustain its ancient glory, yet I would not that _you_should bear the heavy burden, or be exposed to that desolating stormthat is gathering over our devoted capital and throne."
"Said I not, my beloved, that I would yet lead you back in triumph tothe royal halls of your ancestors? I have come to redeem my pledge.Shrink not from a station which no other can so well adorn. Rather, farrather would I, if I could, retire with you to the quiet shades ofprivate life, and find a home in some sweet glen among the mountains,than wear the crown and claim the homage of a world. But, my sweetcousin, the crown _must_ be defended, the throne _must_ be sustainedagainst the insolent pretensions of these strangers. And _I_ must do mypart in the defence. I dare not, either as monarch or as subject,withhold myself from this great work. If I perish, I fall in the serviceof my country and her altars. And the higher the station I hold, thegreater the service I render--the heavier the burden I bear, thebrighter the honors I shall win. As well perish on the throne, asfighting at its foot. I should be unworthy of the daughter of Montezuma,if I held any thing too dear to sacrifice on the shrine of my country."
"Noble Guatimozin, my heart is yours--my life is devoted only to you.Lead me where you will, so that I can share your burdens, and lightenyour cares, and not prove unworthy of such a father and such a lord. Butyou forget that mine is a doomed life, that oracles and omens, signs andpresages, have all conspired against me from my birth."
"Nay, my love, it is you that forget, not I. For the very oracles andomens that foreshadowed for you a clouded morning, promised with equaldistinctness a bright and glorious evening. The tempestuous morning ispassed. The glorious mid-day and the golden evening are yet to come."
"You are quite too fast, I fear, my brave cousin, it was only theevening that was to have light. The sunset hour of life was to beclear. But what, my dear Guatimozin, what do you suppose that light isto be? and whence shall it come?"
"What _can_ it be, but to restore, in your own person and family, thedisputed pre-eminence of the Aztec dynasty, the tarnished glory of itscrown. Rely upon it, my gentle cousin, _that_ is your destiny. The timiddove of Chapoltepec shall be transformed to the royal eagle ofTenochtitlan."
"That cannot be. I rather fear that the deep cloud of my doom willovershadow and darken your life. Better far that I should suffer andperish alone."
"It _must_ be, Tecuichpo, it shall be. Have not the gods given you tome? Have they not made me the defender of the Aztec throne? How then canyou doubt that they call _you_ to share and adorn it?"
"Oh! my lord! those terrible omens--they are but half fulfilled, and thepromised light is yet far in the distance. Could I be sure that youwould share that light with me----."
"Come then with me to the palace. It will be all light for _me_ when_you_ are there, and sure I am that time will re-interpret those sadomens for you, and turn them all to sunshine."
Suddenly the palace of Chapoltepec was changed from a house of mourningto a house of feasting. The nuptial rites of the youthful Emperor withthe beautiful princess, were celebrated with great pomp. The festivitiescontinued through several days, and were honored by the presence of allthe nobility of the empire. The most costly entertainment was providedfor the numerous guests. The most munificent royal largesses werebestowed upon the priests, and upon those who took a prominent part inthe grand ceremonies, and gifts of great value lavishly distributedamong all the inferior attendants. The brilliant and odoriferoustreasures of the royal gardens, and of the chinampas of the great lakewere exhausted in adorning t
he halls and chambers of the palace. Therefined taste, and exquisite invention of Karee was every whereapparent. The place, on the day of the nuptials, might have been takenfor the realm and palace of Flora. The very air was redolent of theincense of flowers, which brightened the day with their bloom, and ofthe odoriferous gums, whose blaze extended the reign of day far into therealms of night.
It was a national festival, a season of universal rejoicing. The peoplenow believed that their days of darkness and temporary depression werepassed, and that all the power and glory of the days of Montezuma wouldbe restored, under those happy auspices which made his favorite daughtera sharer of his throne. The priests sanctioned and confirmed thisbelief, to the utmost of their power and influence, giving it out, withthat oracular force and dignity, which they so well knew how to assume,that such was the true interpretation of all the singular predictionsand presages, which intimated that the life of the princess would closewith unusual splendor. In this manner, they encouraged the hopes of thenation, confirmed its allegiance to its new Emperor, and united all itsforces in a solid phalanx of resistance to every foreign encroachment.
When these ceremonies were concluded, and the imperial pageant passedfrom Chapoltepec to the capital, there was a new and still moreimposing display of the reverence and loyalty of this singular people,and of the more than oriental magnificence with which they sustained thesplendors of royalty. The road, through the entire distance, was swept,sprinkled, and strewed with flowers. The elite of the army, and thenobility in the gayest costumes, formed a brilliant and numerous escort,accompanied with flaunting banners, and every species of spirit-stirringmusic then known to Aztecs. The imperial cortege, consisting of a longarray of magnificent palanquins, with their gorgeous canopies offeather-work, all a-blaze with gold and jewels, borne on the shouldersof princes and nobles, occupied the centre of the grand procession.Those of the Emperor and Empress, which moved side by side, weredistinguished by the exceeding costliness and beauty of theirdecorations, and by the superior height of their canopies, whose sidesand ends curved gracefully to a point in the centre, about three feetabove the cornice, which was surmounted by the imperial diadem ofMexico. These were followed by the queen mother, and other members ofthe royal household, conveyed in a style but little inferior to thefirst. This cortege was immediately preceded and followed by all thepriests and prophets of the nation, in their splendid pontificals, andbearing the showy insignia of their various orders. An immense train ofthe most respectable citizens, merchants, mechanics, artizans,husbandmen, and men of every honorable profession brought up the rear.They were scarcely less gay and brilliant in their costume than theescort and immediate attendants of the monarch, though somewhat lessuniform in the style of their decorations. The road, through its entirelength, was flanked by women and children, young men and maidens, intheir gala dresses, with baskets and chaplets of flowers, which theycontinually showered upon the path, in front of the royal palanquins,thus renewing, at every step of its progress, the floral carpet, whosefreshness and beauty the long escort had trampled out. Ever and anon ashout would go up from that vast multitude, so loud and long, that itsechoes, reverberated along the mountain walls that shut in thatbeautiful valley from the great world, would be heard for many a leaguearound. Then, from some little group of trained chanters, a song ofright loyal welcome would burst forth, accompanied with showers ofroses, and followed by a chorus from thousands of sweet voices--
Welcome! welcome! warrior, king-- Thrice welcome with the prize you bring. Star of Montezuma's line, O'er the empire, rise and shine! Flower of Montezuma's race Return, thy father's halls to grace! Welcome, thrice welcome, mighty one! The nation's heart shall be thy throne.